For immediate release
September 18, 2008
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/flm/prr                                                  

FOURTH DEFENDANT SENTENCED IN THE MURDER OF HAINES CITY POLICE OFFICER

Tampa, FL - Today U.S. District Judge James S. Moody, Jr., sentenced Charles Fowler, age 29, of Polk County, to life in prison followed by ten years. On June 17, 2008, a federal jury found Fowler guilty of the March 3, 1998, murder of Haines City Police Officer Christopher Todd Horner.

Following the murder of Officer Horner there was an exhaustive investigation and four individuals have now been found guilty in connection with Officer Horner’s death. Testimony at Fowler’s trial proved that Fowler was the defendant who fired the shot that killed Officer Horner.

The other three participants in Officer Horner’s murder received the following sentences:

Christopher B. Gamble, age 30, of Polk County, was sentenced to life imprisonment plus a consecutive term of 107 years’ imprisonment on November 29, 2004. On August 11, 2004 Gamble pled guilty to participating in the murder of Officer Horner. Gamble also pled guilty to numerous robberies of businesses and banks in Polk County during 1998 and 1999.

Andre Paige, age 28, of Polk County was also convicted by a jury on September 28, 2005, of participating in Horner’s murder, robbery and firearms charges and he was sentenced to life in prison plus 60 years’ imprisonment.

In June of 2007, Robert Winston, age 27 was convicted by a jury for his role in the murder of Officer Horner. He is was sentenced to life in prison.

This investigation was conducted by the Haines City Police Department, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement(FDLE), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation(FBI). The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney James Muench.